Responding to my previous post, Howard noted another use of the term redshirt. I find the adoption of it curious, as the other patron of the redshirts, Garibaldi, volunteered his services to the North contingent on the immediate abolition of slavery…a condition that was not fulfilled by Lincoln in 1862.
That reminds me, I have to read “Time enough for love” would be about the 6th or 7th time.
“Garibaldi, volunteered his services to the North contingent on the immediate abolition of slavery…a condition that was not fulfilled by Lincoln in 1862.”
Not really, Oleg. The Emancipation Proclamation did not take effect until Jan. 1863, and even then applied only to states “now in rebellion.” It did not purport to outlaw slavery as an institution, and it remained legal in the border states e.g. Maryland, Kentucky, &c. until abolished by the 13th Amendment in 1866.
I am aware of that — it was, at the time, a simple confiscation of rebel property.